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Bruno had been staring into the mirror for a while now. He had been feeling strange every time he stared at himself in the mirror. He bit his lip now as he thought about some things that his partner, Ren had told him. About all the different ways someone could be non-binary. He wondered for a moment about that. He glanced at the doorway now.
Ren had been watching him for about a minute while just standing there, leaning against the doorframe with a soft, knowing expression. He didn't ask or say anything at all. Just watched as his boyfriend, maybe partner now, was questioning himself. He knew it was better to wait a bit first, in case Bruno wanted to speak first. And Bruno looked ready to as he walked to him.
"Is something wrong, babe?," Ren asked, still with that same soft expression. Bruno nodded a bit as he thought for a bit, then spoke. "I don't know. I just... I feel like there's a word for this feeling. I hadn't really thought about how I didn't.. fit in like the rest of the boys when i was a kid."
Ren didn't jump to a conclusion or try to label him immediately. Instead, he reached out and gently took Bruno’s hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of the other's knuckles. "It’s a big world, and there are a lot of boxes. Some of them are just too small for us," Ren said, his voice a calming melody. "I remember feeling that way a few years ago. Well, more than a few but still. It was like I was wearing a costume when i didn't want to." Bruno nodded at that. Then he looked Ren in the eyes.
"I ...a costume" Bruno started, the word tasting like a realization. He looked down at his own small frame, then back up at Ren. He slowly felt gears turning in his head as he blinked a few times. Then it hit him, the feeling of being near the category of 'boy' without actually being inside it. Like he did feel masc aligned, but not wanting to be or feeling like a boy that much. "I think I'm non-binary, Ren." Ren smiled at that and kissed Bruno's cheek.
"And that's perfectly fine. And I had a feeling, somehow." Ren admitted as she squeezed Bruno's hand softly. Bruno beamed happily at that Not questioning it at all. She was Genderfluid after all It only made sense she could tell right away. Bruno took a deep breath and sighed happily now. He was relieved he got that out. That he figured that out finally.
"Any change of pronouns?" Ren asked softly. They were still smiling gently at him. Bruno shook his head. "I still .... Like being called a he. But i am definitely non-binary." Ren nodded at that. They then hugged him close to their chest. Bruno felt safe and happy. And Ren was glad he had figured himself out with help from them. When Ren pulled away, Bruno giggled a little.
"Want to go out for a treat or something?" Ren asked. Bruno immediately nodded happily. He looked much more excited again. Like a light had been lit inside of him or something like that.
"Ice cream. Definitely ice cream," Bruno declared, his voice jumping an octave in excitement. He practically bounced on his heels, the sudden surge of energy making him look even smaller next to Ren. The stress of earlier had disappeared quietly and quickly. Ren and Bruno now got ready and went out to the ice cream shop that was only a couple blocka away, holding hands the entire walk.
